Springfield Park District

Weekend Lead Recreation Associate – Botanical Garden

Department: Washington Park Botanical Garden

Position Title: Part-Time Weekend Lead Recreation Associate-Botanical

Reporting Authority: Botanical Garden General Manager or designee

Classification: Non-Exempt/Non-Union/ Part-Time/Hourly Position

Salary: $15/hour

What is the Springfield Park District?

The Springfield Park District offers a variety of educational and recreational programs, classes and events for people ranging in age from 6 months to seniors. The Park District partners with several local organizations and clubs to provide athletic programming such as youth baseball/softball, men’s soccer, disk golf leagues, cricket, rugby, pickleball, youth football, bicycling clubs and related clubs/groups. Additionally, the Springfield Park District also maintains intergovernmental/cooperative agreement with various Police Departments, School District and local colleges. We manage 4 Golf Courses, 2 Indoor Ice Rinks, 2 Outdoor Pools, Indoor Pool, 3 Dog Runs, 3 Disc Golf Courses, 2 Baseball Stadiums, 2 Early Childhood Program Facilities; Preschool & Funshop, 2 Historic Pavilions, Special Needs Facility, a Carillon, Botanical Garden, Tennis Complex, Skate Park, Erin’s Pavilion Rental Facility and the Henson Robinson Zoo.

Our Mission: to provide accessible and memorable recreational opportunities that enrich the community and improve the quality of life for generations as well as conserve our natural resources.

Position Summary:

The Lead Recreation Associate is a mid-level position. Candidates must demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to assist with a variety of Program Coordinators, Facility Managers, and Teachers in class activities, front-line/guest services, could manage other part-time Recreation Associates, responsible for customer service initiatives, point of sale systems, rental services and could be a keyholder as well as a night and weekend frontline Manager on Duty throughout the Springfield Park District, but for this position advertisement is specific to and reports at the Washington Park Botanical Garden (WPBG).

The Lead Recreation Associate, under the supervision of the Botanical Garden General Manager, is accountable to all the citizens of Springfield and beyond to see that they have a pleasant and enjoyable time while visiting the Botanical Center facility during weekends 12-5pm, flex schedule on occasion. Weekend work hours are every other weekend and is from 9a-5p, both Saturday and Sunday. Might have work demand on nights and weekends with advance notice based on facility need. This includes the Botanical Garden’s user groups, who hold their annual events at the Botanical Center facility. The Lead Recreation Associate is required to accept payments from visitors and be knowledgeable about the park, gardens, programs, rental pricing and policies and provide potential renters informational brochures. This position is also responsible for office duties such as greeting the public, answering phones, answering questions of the visiting patrons, processing membership payments, assisting the General Manager with tours of potential rental clients and processing rental payments in the General Manager’s absence.

Specific Responsibilities:

Facility and Office Work:

• Responsible for learning and understanding the use and programming of the Washington Park Botanical Garden and grounds, other district park services, district contracts and related information of the organization and services it provides.
• Successful Completion of Park District Orientation, Rectrac Learning Lab & Customer Service Training.
• Operate Point of Sale Systems to include cash handling, cash registers, cash close-out responsibilities, learning RecTrac and online portal Webtrac (Park District Online Registration Software) to assist patrons with admissions, membership passes, activity sign up, rentals, etc.
• Responsible for greeting the public in a courteous manner as they enter the facility, provide information per requests or directing to other staff/departments.
• Responsible for answering phones/message taking in courteous and prompt manner, provide information per requests, transfer to appropriate personnel/voicemail.
• Responsible for keeping front lobby and workstation clean.
• Responsible for maintaining an exceptional rapport with customers both on the phone and in person by displaying outstanding customer service in a friendly, outgoing, professional and respectful manner at all times.
• Responsible for processing of Garden memberships and payments made towards special event rentals.
• Represents the Botanical Garden department in the absence of the General Manager or Horticulture Curator.
• Responsible for working with renters and vendors to make sure events run smoothly on the weekends.
• Ensure renters do not damage the building or violate policies or impart damage during their event.
• Responsible for adjusting lighting and temperatures during weekend events.
• Serve as liaison to the weekend event caterer and ensure the caterer is adhering to our clean up policies.
• Must be able to perform opening and closing duties of the facility and ensure it is secure when required to open and close for events and weekend business hours.
• Managing other part-time Recreation Associate staff
• Minor janitorial duties – assistance of maintenance in sweeping lobby or restrooms, cleaning front counter, replenishing paper towels and toilet paper, emptying trash, especially with large events/crowds.
• Assistance in coordination, development and/or supervision of special events, programs or related activities.
• Assistance with potential wedding clients by providing information and tours in absence of General Manager.
• Assistance with membership mailings and newsletter distributions.
• Perform all other tasks assigned by General Manager or designee.
• Horticulture Work: Greenhouse-Identify plants, water seedlings, and plant collections, sterilize pots. Conservatory/Greenhouse/Showroom – Clean/maintain plant displays and educational exhibits, weed, water, install and maintain signage.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be 18+ years of age or older.
• Must possess a High School diploma.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have previous managerial experience
• Willingness to learn educational information and details about the Park District and specific to the Washington Park Botanical Garden.
• Must be able to demonstrate leadership, be trustworthy and capable of working alone.
• Must be a team player and be willing to work in groups.
• Must possess emotional maturity and show respect when working with children and adults.
• Sensitivity to patron and/or participants socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and individual needs and capabilities.
• Prior work experience in area of office management, record keeping, filing
• Proficiency in use of typing, use of computer software, note-taking and related areas
• Effective communication in a professional and courteous manner
• Must possess outstanding customer service skills when dealing with the public
• Flexible work schedule availability is required to fill this position.
• Light lifting required to successfully fill this position

General Requirements:

• Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Physical capabilities – lifts 50 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
• Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
• Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Must possess valid Illinois Driver's License.
• Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
• Must present a neat and professional appearance.
• Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.

The Springfield Park District is committed to the provisions of Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action to its applicants regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, age sex, marital or veterans’ status, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status.

Revised March 2024